AFFAIRS OF RUGBY LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 151, 23 March 1934, Page 12

AFFAIRS OF RUGBY LEAGUE

Acting-Secretary’s Problem UNUSUAL INCIDENTS AT ANNUAL MEETING A minute book for which the actingsecretary had to comb Wadestown, and which when produced was untranslatable. lent novelty to the annual mee - ing of the Wellington Rugby lootball League last evening. The meeting wa, timed to start at 7.30 p.in. m the Y.M.C.A. building, but the dozen or so enthusiasts present at that hour had to wait about till 9 P-m- before . tl ‘° secretary and minute book arrived. Some of them spent the time in the institution’s billiard room. A telephone message at 8.45 explained that the minute had been traced and that the meeting would start as soon as the secretary could get in to the city. A Petone club delegate, Mr. J. Wrack was voted to the chair, but difficulties still beset the pro tern secretary. Mr. W. N. H. Davis. The only niinutes he could find of the last annual meeting were written roughly in pencil at the back of the book, but the valiant endeavours of Mr. Dails failed to make much of them. The chairman thought that possibly the person who had written the minutes might be able to read them. The secretary had done his best. . The name of the chairman of the League of a year or so back, Mr. W. Corcoran, was mentioned in that section which was translated. Mr. Corcoran, who was present, rose immediately and objected to his name being mentioned. “I moved nothing at the last annual meeting, and do not want my name to go down in the minutes. I moved and seconded nothing.” he said. The chairman suggested the minutes be taken as read, but another delegate present suggested that a match be put to them. Mr. Corcoran again interposed, and when the chairman inquired whether he was a club delegate or not. he replied: “It doesn t matter whether I am a club delegate or not. I object to my name being put down.” ’The chairman then put the motion that the niinutes as read be confirmed. This was carried. Mr. Corcoran asking that his objection be recorded. No Annual Report. The chairman stated that there was no annual report, but that they had a balance-sheet and financial statement. This the secretary read, explaining that he had had it audited that day. This showed that the League’s gross receipts last season were .£2B, and the total expenditure £25, leaving a credit balance of £3. The total assets were shown at £3/18/-, and outstanding liabilities at £27, leaving a deficit for the season of £23. When it came to the election of officers. a discussion arose as to the constitutional position of the’ meeting. There were two constitutions discussed, one under which the League had been working for two years, and a further amended constitution which it was suggested be adopted. The secretary explained that the management committee had resigned on February 15' and a temporary committee had been carrying on since then, which was to go out of office at the annual meeting. A delegate asked how long the constitution had been recognised by the New Zealand League Council at Auckland. The chairman replied that so far as he knew it had been recognised for twelve months. It was further interjected by a delegate that he didn’t see how the meeting, could alter the constitution without the council’s authority. , Standing orders were then suspended, and the amended constitution adopted. One of those present asked whether only club delegates could •speak. The secretary apologised for having given that impression, which ■was due to a technical mistake in a letter he had sent. out. The chairman then ruled that any person present could speak, but that only club delegates could vote on questions before the meeting. Search for a Secretary. Difficulty was experienced in finding men to take positions. No one could remember who was elected patron last season, and the minutes did not shed any light on the question. It was decided to leave the election of a patron over in the meantime. Hereupon a club delegate interposed that considering tlie way the meeting was going that night it would be better to close down altogether. The chairman: Order, gentlemen. Mr. 11. J. Knight was elected president, and the vice-presidents, were reelected, no names being mentioned, with power to add. A chairman lor the management committee could not be found. Messrs. Wrack and Rae declining nomination. Mr. Wrack agreed to accept the office of vice-chairman pro tern.

Tlie acting-secretary stated lie would be out of town in the near future and could not continue to act in that office Air. Al. Hunt declined nomination, and a call by the chairman for volunteers met with no response.

A member: If we can’t get a secretary, then we will have to do without one, that’s all.

No election to the office of treasurer was made. Tlie management committee will consist of the above officers, when elected, with the following club delegates: Alessrs. F. Halkeft (Newtown). T. Hogan (City), J. Goodall (Petone). A delegate from the Celtic club said he did not think his club intended to nominate a delegate to the management committee. A delegate inquired what the position of the management committee would be in regard to outstanding debts if the League were sued, and a Celtic representative said that he understood that as the League was not an incorporated body every member would be liable. A member: AVe haven’t been sued V(?t. T Air. Corcoran: Haven’t we? And I have paid Toss of Coin Decides Issue.

I„ accordance with notice of motion the Newtown club moved that each C ].ub be charged an affiliation fee of £o/2/- and each member of each chib a" capitation fee of 1/6. The mover •laid League players ought to be pienared to pay for their sport as did »he members of other sporting bodies. The meeting voted G-all, and on the casting vote of the chairman the motion was declared lost. A delegate: If the men don t want to play, then finish. That’s all I’ve K °A motion fixing the affiliation fee at £2/2/-, with no capitation fee. saw the delegates vote 6-all again. This time the chairman settled the issue by spinning a coin, and declared the motion carried. Mr Corcoran inquired whether an amount of £33 was shown on the pre-

vious season’s balance as outstanding to him. “I would like to have seen it on the balance-sheet this year.” lie said. The secretary undertook to supply the information at the earliest date possible. The meeting then closed, a last appeal by the chairman for a secretary failing' to draw a response.